First National Dialogue Session took place

With the participation of representatives of political societies, independents from the legislative authority and the Government, the first session of the National Consensus Dialogue took place on Sunday evening, 10th February 2013, as part of the Royal directive for the continuation of the National Consensus Dialogue in the political theme to build on national achievements. At the commencement of the session, the Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Leadership to all participants of the Dialogue; sincere wishes were offered for the successful outcome of the Dialogue in the best interests of the Country. The first session, held at Al Areen Resort in Sukhair, was positive and optimistic and highlighted the mutual trust built between all the participants. The Dialogue's agenda and mechanisms were deliberated and general agreement reached on the principle of consensus. During the session, all participants agreed that future sessions should be held twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in order for all topics of the Dialogue to be considered with the aim of achieving the best possible results. All participants of the National Dialogue reacted positively to their own involvement in this second round of talks, whilst demonstrating a strong desire to discuss topics with the important aim of reaching consensus on the general concepts of the Dialogue, its agenda and mechanisms. The participants affirmed their sincere intentions to achieve positive results in the best interests of the nation to reinforce the aspirations of all citizens for a better future. The Government, the coalition of societies, the six societies and independents from the Legislative Authority all gave recognition to the participation of all members of the Dialogue, demonstrating the seriousness of the talks and reaffirming the trust built between all participants. The participants stressed the importance of setting a clear agenda and mechanisms to cover topics from all participants, to achieve agreement between all participants with the aim of positive results. Government: Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa – Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Noaimi – Minister of Education Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf – Minister of Works Independents from the Legislative Authority MP Ahmed Al Saati MP Latifa Al Gaoud MP AbdulHakeem Al Shimiri MP Sawsan Taqawi Shura Member Khalid Al Masqati Shura Member Dalal Al Zayed Shura Member Jameela Salman Shura Member AbdulAziz Abul Ten Societies Coalition Ahmad Juma - National Action Charter Society AbdulRahman Al Baker - National Constitutional Gathering Society Ahmad Al BinAli - Al Wasat Al Arabi Islamic Society Khalid Al Qattan - Al-Menbar National Islamic Society Abdulla Al Huwaihi - Gathering of National Unity Adnan Bader - Al Asalah Islamic Society AbdulRahman AbdulSalam - Islamic Shura Society Six Societies Dr. Muneera Fakhro - National Democratic Action Society Abdulla Janahi - National Democratic Action Society Hafedh Ali - National Democratic Action Society Sayed Jameel Khadim - Al Wefaq National Islamic Society Abdulnabi Salman - Democratic Progressive Tribune Hameed Almula - Democratic Progressive Tribune Hassan Al Aali - National Democratic Assembly Mousa Al Ansari - Al Ekhaa Society Facilitators Khalid Ajaji Dr. Abdulla Taleb